Angela Couloumbis

Harrisburg Bureau

Angela Couloumbis covers state government in Harrisburg. She has been a reporter at the Inquirersince 1996, covering city government, courts and neighborhoods in Philadelphia and Camden, and the governors and governments of New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

When Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach announced this week that he would not seek reelection, it set off a mad scramble in both parties to succeed him.

But in Republican circles, the race to fill the congressional seat based in Chester County could soon turn awkward. As it stands, two well-known Chester County Republicans say they are seriously considering a run: Chester County Commissioner Ryan Costello and Chester County GOP chairman Val DiGiorgio.

If both decide to take the plunge, it would force Chester County Republicans to make an uncomfortable decision: endorse the county party leader (although DiGiorgio would have to abandon that post if he were to run)? Or throw their support behind a young, aggressive Republican who the party has been grooming for bigger and better things?

Both men said this week they had not made up their minds - but would likely do so by next week.

For his part, DiGiorgio, the onetime controller in Chester County, called Costello " a good friend and ally."

"I think we would both be good candidates," said DiGiorgio, adding that the two need to talk about who would be best positioned to win the seat. "Ryan and I need to have that conversation - and we haven't had it yet."

Costello too said he believed "it will work itself out."

Other Republicans rumored to be mulling a run: state Sen. John Rafferty of Montgomery County, and former state Rep. Sam Rohrer of Berks County.

On the Democratic side, Michael D. Parrish, a businessman and former Army aviator from Malvern, has filed to run. Manan Trivedi, a Berks County Democrat who has twice run for Congress, is also seriously considering a run.